Mormon scholars address deep issues

Mormon scholars and students are invited to attend a conference addressing complex issues, including whether spirits have anxiety.

Mormon Scholars in Humanities and the Association for Mormon Letters are presenting the conference Thursday through Saturday at BYU and Utah Valley University.

Both organizations have specific themes and unique presentations, but will share some events and the location.

The conference begins with visiting speaker James K.A. Smith from Calvin College discussing his book “Desiring the Kingdom” at 2 p.m. Thursday in B192 JFSB.

Student admission to the conference is free.

The theme for Mormon Scholars in Humanities is “Embodiment.” This topic was chosen because of the unique LDS emphasis on acquiring a body and experiencing our mortal lives with it.

“The LDS have a very special and unusual view of the importance of the body in our eternal life,” said David Paxman, president of the Mormon Scholars in Humanities. “Having a body … is crucial to our salvation.”